Chapter 79
SOPHIA’S POV
“We’ll split up,” Damien said. “I’ll check the clubs downtown. You take the bars near the university district p>
I wanted to protest, to tell him I wasn’t his subordinate to order around, but the memory of George’s face stopped me. The old man had always been kind to me, treating me like a real granddaughter even when his own children never did.
“Fine,” I replied coldly, already turning toward my car. “Call me if you find him first p>
I didn’t wait for his response. My wolf was restless inside me as I drove through the city streets. I checked bars.
The first three bars turned up nothing. At each one, I showed Declan’s photo to the staff.
By the time I reached the fourth bar called “The Howling Moon,” my patience was wearing thin The moment I stepped inside, I could smell alcohol and sweat.
My wolf immediately perked up as she caught a scent I recognized. Declan.
Thank the goddess.
I pushed through the crowd, ignoring the catcalls from drunk men. I found him in a private room at the back, and my heart dropped at the scene before me.
Declan was surrounded by four wolves. His shirt was torn. His lip was bleeding, and his eyes were filled with anger. In the room, I could see shattered glass on the floor and even an overturned table.
“Think you can talk to me like that, pup?” one of the wolves snarled, grabbing Declan by the collar. He was massive, twice Declan’s size. “You Stone brats think you own this whole damn city p>
“My brother does own this city,” Declan spat back.
“Declan.” I spoke.
Every head in the room turned toward me.
The big wolf holding Declan sneered. “And who the hell are you? His girlfriend p>
“His sister-in-law,” I said calmly. “And I’m here to apologize for whatever trouble he’s caused p>
Declan glared at me. “Sophia, what are you p>
“Shut up, Declan.” I didn’t even look at him. I kept my attention on the leader. I just wanted peace. “I understand there’s been some… misunderstanding tonight p>
The leader released Declan then turned to me.
“Misunderstanding? Your little brother-in-law here ran up a tab of fifteen thousand dollars, drank our best whiskey, insulted my beta, and then tried to leave without paying p>
Fifteen thousand? That was nearly two months of my hospital salary.
“And then,” another wolf spoke, “he had the nerve to say that we should be honored to serve a Stone. He said we should comp the whole thing p>
I closed my eyes briefly, fighting the urge to strangle Declan myself.
“You’re right to be angry,” I said, looking at the leader. “He was completely out of line. I’ll take care of the tab right now, and I’ll pay for any damages to your establishment p>
The leader studied me for a long moment. “And why should I accept that? Maybe I want to teach this pup a lesson he won’t forget p>
“Because hurting him would bring you trouble you don’t need. The Stone family might be arrogant, but they’re also powerful. You know this.” I paused, then added, “But I’m not asking you to let this go for free. Name your price. Within reason, I’ll pay it p>
“Sophia!” Declan growled. “You can’t just p>
“I said shut up,” I snapped, finally looking at him “You’ve done enough damage for one night p>
The leader laughed. “I like her. She’s got more spine than this pup.” He crossed his arms, “Alright. Twenty thousand for the tab and damages. And she drinks with us. One bottle, straight down. No stopping p>
My wolf whimpered in my mind. I wasn’t a heavy drinker, never had been. And a whole bottle of whatever these wolves were drinking would put me on my back for sure. But looking at Declan’s bleeding face, at the hard expressions on these wolves, I knew I didn’t have a choice.
“Deal.” I said without thinking twice.